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Battlefield 6 Secure Boot Error: How to Check and Fix It on PC

Getting a Secure Boot or EA Javelin Anti-Cheat error in Battlefield 6? Check UEFI, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and safe next steps for your PC.

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NextTechExplained

Editorial Team

October 22, 2026•9 min read
A modern gaming PC and motherboard on a dark desk, illustrating PC startup security

A modern gaming PC and motherboard on a dark desk, illustrating PC startup security

Table of Contents (15 sections)

If Battlefield 6 says Secure Boot is required, start by checking what Windows reports before changing any firmware settings. The most useful first check is System Information (msinfo32): look for BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State. EA also lists TPM 2.0, UEFI, and certain virtualization-based security capabilities among the PC requirements, so Secure Boot may not be the only item to verify. See EA's Secure Boot guide (opens in new tab) and the official Battlefield 6 FAQ (opens in new tab).

This guide helps you identify the condition Windows reports and choose a safe next step. It does not assume every error has the same cause, and it does not recommend disabling Secure Boot or clearing firmware keys as a first-line fix.

Before changing anything: check the exact error

Write down the complete message shown by Battlefield 6 or EA Javelin Anti-Cheat. An error specifically mentioning Secure Boot is different from a generic anti-cheat startup error, an error that mentions TPM, or a message about the game installation. Use EA's Battlefield 6 error-code guide (opens in new tab) if the message points to another component.

If the error appeared after a BIOS update, Windows update, hardware change, or certificate update, make a note of that too. Recent changes help narrow the investigation, but do not prove the cause on their own.

Step 1: Check BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run.
  2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
  3. In System Summary, find BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State.

EA's instructions say BIOS Mode should be UEFI and Secure Boot State should be On. Microsoft also explains that Secure Boot depends on firmware configuration and that some settings can make the feature appear unavailable. See EA's Secure Boot guide (opens in new tab) and Microsoft's Windows 11 Secure Boot guidance (opens in new tab).

The checklist below outlines the key firmware and platform security checks to verify in Windows before altering any firmware settings:

An illustrative checklist outlining the key PC security settings to verify in Windows before altering firmware, including UEFI BIOS Mode, Secure Boot State, and TPM 2.0

What the results mean

What System Information says What to do next
BIOS Mode: UEFI; Secure Boot State: On These two checks look correct. If Battlefield 6 still reports a Secure Boot error, check for a state mismatch where firmware says enabled but Windows reports inactive (see our Secure Boot enabled but not active guide), check TPM status, and review EA's error-specific guidance.
BIOS Mode: UEFI; Secure Boot State: Off Your system starts in UEFI mode, but Secure Boot is currently off. Follow our step-by-step walkthrough on how to enable Secure Boot in Windows 11.
BIOS Mode: Legacy Do not simply switch firmware from Legacy/CSM to UEFI. First check the Windows drive's partition style and follow the PC manufacturer's or Microsoft's migration guidance. An incompatible change can make Windows fail to start.
Secure Boot State: Unsupported This can reflect hardware or configuration limitations. Check the manufacturer specifications and firmware documentation instead of assuming the PC needs a generic BIOS change.

Step 2: Check whether TPM 2.0 is ready

EA's Secure Boot guidance also says TPM 2.0 needs to be turned on for the supported setup it describes. To check it:

  1. Press Windows + R.
  2. Type tpm.msc and press Enter.
  3. Check the TPM status and the Specification Version under TPM Manufacturer Information.

For Windows 11, Microsoft says the required TPM specification version is 2.0. If the console says that a compatible TPM cannot be found, that does not always mean the PC lacks TPM hardware; it can be disabled in firmware or unavailable on that device. Follow Microsoft's TPM 2.0 guidance (opens in new tab) and your manufacturer's instructions before changing settings.

You can also look in Windows Security > Device security > Security processor details. Microsoft explains this page in its Device Security guide (opens in new tab). To understand how Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 serve distinct, complementary security functions during startup, see our guide on what Secure Boot is and how it works in Windows.

Do not clear the TPM as a troubleshooting shortcut. Clearing it can affect keys and credentials protected by the TPM, including encryption-related protections.

Step 3: Check whether Windows uses GPT or MBR if BIOS Mode is Legacy

Secure Boot normally requires the Windows installation to boot through UEFI, and EA's guide specifies a GPT-formatted Windows disk for the setup it describes. If msinfo32 reports Legacy, inspect the disk before considering a firmware-mode change:

  1. Right-click Start and open Disk Management.
  2. Locate the disk containing the Windows installation.
  3. Right-click the disk label on the left side of the lower pane and select Properties.
  4. Open Volumes and look at Partition style.

A disk using Master Boot Record (MBR) may need a supported conversion before Windows can boot in UEFI mode. Do not switch the firmware to UEFI or disable CSM on a Legacy installation without a verified migration plan. Back up important files and use official instructions for your exact device and Windows setup. EA's Secure Boot guide (opens in new tab) describes the relationship between UEFI and GPT; the correct procedure can vary by system.

Step 4: Review Secure Boot settings in your PC's UEFI firmware

If BIOS Mode already says UEFI but Secure Boot State is Off, consult the manufacturer's instructions for your exact model. Many PCs let you open firmware settings through Windows:

  1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
  2. Beside Advanced startup, select Restart now.
  3. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart, if that option is available.
  4. Find the Secure Boot option using the PC or motherboard manual. Menu names and locations differ.

Microsoft documents this general route in its Windows 11 and Secure Boot guide (opens in new tab). Do not assume all firmware uses the same menus or default settings.

Before changing firmware, make sure you can access your device-encryption or BitLocker recovery key if encryption is enabled. Changes to boot configuration or Secure Boot keys can trigger recovery on some systems. Do not clear or replace Secure Boot keys simply because Battlefield 6 shows an error; only follow key-management instructions published for your exact device and situation.

If your motherboard firmware displays a prompt about key enrollment or setup states, consult our guide on what the Secure Boot User Mode message means. If the computer halts at startup with a signature error after enabling the feature, see how to troubleshoot a Secure Boot Violation.

Diagnostic flowchart for Battlefield 6 Secure Boot errors, tracing steps through msinfo32, UEFI BIOS Mode, and Secure Boot State before making firmware adjustments

Step 5: Recheck other EA requirements and the type of anti-cheat error

EA's current Battlefield 6 PC requirements list TPM 2.0 enabled, UEFI Secure Boot enabled, HVCI capable, and VBS capable. "Capable" is not identical to saying every related Windows setting must be manually enabled on every machine. If the game's message mentions a particular security feature, follow the corresponding current EA instructions rather than changing every setting at once. Review the Battlefield 6 FAQ (opens in new tab) for the requirements in effect when you troubleshoot.

If Windows reports UEFI and Secure Boot On and TPM 2.0 is ready, but the game still fails to launch:

  • Restart Windows and try the game again.
  • Check for pending Windows updates and updates from your PC or motherboard manufacturer.
  • Read the precise error and compare it with EA's Battlefield 6 error-code guide (opens in new tab).
  • If the error specifically names EA Javelin Anti-Cheat, follow EA's instructions for that error. EA notes that some Javelin Anti-Cheat errors relate to starting the anti-cheat component or locating the game installation, not to Secure Boot itself.
  • If the issue began immediately after a firmware update, consult the manufacturer's support page for the exact model.

Avoid third-party "driver updater" tools, random PowerShell scripts, and forum instructions that ask you to delete firmware keys. They can introduce new problems and are not a substitute for a documented fix.

Quick troubleshooting reference

Symptom Safest next check
The game says Secure Boot is required Check BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State in msinfo32.
Secure Boot State is Off Check model-specific UEFI settings after confirming the system boots in UEFI mode.
BIOS Mode is Legacy Check the Windows disk's partition style before considering migration. Do not just flip the firmware setting.
TPM is missing or not ready Check tpm.msc and official TPM guidance for your device. Do not clear the TPM.
Secure Boot and TPM appear correct Use the exact Battlefield 6 or Javelin Anti-Cheat error text to choose the next step.
The error started after a BIOS or certificate update Keep the recovery key accessible, consult the PC manufacturer's support guidance, and review our Windows Secure Boot certificate update status guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does Battlefield 6 require Secure Boot on PC?

Yes. EA's Battlefield 6 FAQ says Secure Boot is required to play on PC. Check EA's current requirements and Secure Boot guide for the specific conditions expected on your system.

Is Secure Boot enough if Battlefield 6 still shows an error?

Not necessarily. EA also lists TPM 2.0 and HVCI/VBS capability in the PC requirements. The error might also be related to the anti-cheat component or installation. Read the exact message and check each relevant requirement individually.

Can I enable Secure Boot without reinstalling Windows?

That depends on your current boot configuration. A PC already using UEFI may only need a supported firmware setting change. A Windows installation booting in Legacy mode may need its disk layout and boot configuration addressed first. Do not switch modes blindly; follow verified instructions for your device.

Should I clear Secure Boot keys to fix Battlefield 6?

No, not as a general fix. Key management can change the PC's trust configuration and may affect startup or encrypted-drive recovery. Only use manufacturer-specific instructions when they explicitly call for it.

What if `msinfo32` says Secure Boot is On but the game still won't launch?

Check TPM 2.0 with tpm.msc, review EA's current requirements, restart the PC, and use the exact error message to identify whether the problem is Secure Boot, another requirement, or EA Javelin Anti-Cheat.

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